Label activator



Sept. 27, 1960 R. E. BELL 2,954,455

LABEL ACTIVATOR I Filed Aug. 13, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 E lli 2e i 2bi gl T 'I sept. 27, 1960 Filed Aug. 13, 1958 IIl .I

NVENTOR. ROBERT E. BELL AT To RNEEYS Sept. 27, 1960 R. E. BELL LABEL AcTIvAToR 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INNHEJMNI JNVENTQIL ROBERT E. BELL ATTORNEY United States Patent Ol LABEL ACT IV ATOR Robert E. Bell, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to Toledo Scale Corporation, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of h10 Filed Aug. 13, 1958, Ser. No. 754,741

' 16 Claims. (Cl. 219-19) This invention relates generally to a label activating device for use with labels having coatings of thermoactivated adhesives.

In food stores, warehouses and the like it is customary to apply identifying dat-a to labels Isuch as the name of a food product, the date, price, weight, value and so forth and then either apply such labels to the outside of appropriately wrapped food products or wrap the food products with such labels inside packages which have windows through which such labels can be seen. The identifying data in many instances is printed on the labels by means of a printing computing weighing scale system which delivers them after the printing cycle to a heating device that activates the adhesive on the labels. Difiiculty has been experienced in this type of operation when the labels are Wrapped inside the packages because labels for such use should not be activated at all. Nevertheless, it is desirable for the sake of design simplicity to have the printing weighing scale system deliver all of the labels whether for insideor outside use to the heating device.

Among the types of heating devices used in activating adhesive coatings on labels are those of the hot-plate variety. In utilizing a label coated with a thermo-activated adhesive for outside labeling use it is desired to position the label on a heating surface with the adhesive coating facing upwardly, activate the adhesive coating by allowing the label to dwell on the heated surface for a suiiicient length of time but not too long, and introduce a wrapped product into contact with the activated adhesive coating, thereby causing adherence between the label and the wrapping. Difficulty has been experienced in this type of operation in controlling the heating cycle because as soon as the printing weighing scale system delivered label to a prior label activator the label was activated immediately whether or not the wrapped product was ready for it. A-s a result in many instances labels have become over activated and have failed to stick properly to the packages.

It is, accordingly, the principal object of this invention to provide, in a label `activating device having a heated surface for use with labels having coatings of thermo-activated adhesives, means for holding a label to be activated out of contact with the heated surface until it is needed, whereby the adhesive heating cycle can be controlled easily.

Another object is to provide, in such a label activating device, -means for receiving such a label to be activated which will hold the label out of contact with the heated surface until it is needed but which automatically will allow the label to contact the heated surface upon contact of a wrapped product with the label.

Still another object is to provide, in such a label activating device, means for receiving a label to be activated which will hold the label out of contact with the heated surface until it is needed and which selectively either will release the label while it is not activated for inside labeling use or which automatically will allow the label to More specific objects and advantages are apparent from the following description of a specific embodiment of the invention.

According to the invention, a label activator of the hotplate Variety is provided with a series of grooves in its heated surface and a mating series of fingers which normally support a label having an adhesive coating to be thermoactivated out of contact with such heated surface. A pivotally mounted stop member keeps the label on the fingers, `the label being placed upon the fingers with its adhesive coating down for inside labeling use and with its adhesive coating up for outside labeling use.

When it is desired to use the label on the inside of a package of the type which is provided with a window through which the label can be seen, the stop member is pivoted to release the label while it is not activated into the operators hand or onto the product to be wrapped. When it is desired to stick the label on the outside of 'a package, the package is caused to contact the label on the fingers which then are forced by the package toward the heated surface until they are received in the mating grooves. This allows the label to contact the hea-ted surface. The label is permitted to dwell on the heated surface for a suflicient length of time to cause its adhesive coating to become sticky, thereby causing adherence between the label and the package.

Hence, whether the labels are used on the inside or the outside of packages, the label activator of the invention func-tions as a means for receiving printed labels and holding them until they are needed in a position out of contact with the heated surface. Only when a wrapped product is ready for the label on the activator is the label permitted to Contact the heated surface so that the adhesive heating cycle can be controlled easily.

The invention may be more readily understood from the following detailed description of a specific embodiment in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. I is an end elevational View of the label activator and the support therefor, part of the activator being broken away to reveal a label ready to be activated;

Fig. II is a top plan View of the label activator as seen when it is removed from its support;

Fig. II is a top plan View of the hot plate which is shown incorporated in the activator in Fig. II, illustrating the heated grooved-surface of the hot plate;

Fig. IV is a top plan View of the set of fingers which is shown incorporated in the activator in Fig. II;

Fig. V is a front elevational View of the hot plate which is shown in Fig. III and a similar View of the set of fingers which is shown in Fig. IV, illustrating the cooperation between them when the fingers are in their upper position;

Fig. VI is a view which is similar to Fig. V showing the lower position of the lingers and illustrating in particular the way in which such fingers are received in the grooves of the heated surface of the hot plate; and

Fig. VII is a side elevational View of a skirt member which is shown in plan incorporated in the label acti- Vator in Fig. II.

These specific drawings and the accompanying description are intended merely to illustrate the invention but not to rlimit its scope.

Referring in particular to Figs. I and II, the assembled label activator is designated by the general reference numeral 1. It is supported on a mounting bracket 2 which is secured to a stationarily mounted member 3 to which also is secured a gravity chute 4 for conveying labels l5 from a printer (not shown) to the label activator 3 1. The label activator 1 is so mounted that it is tilted forwardly at a substantial angle from the horizontal. One of the labels 5 is shown in its position in the activator after it has slid down the chute 4. One side of each of the labels 5' is coated with a therrnoactivated adhesive.

The label activator l includes a hot plate 6 having an inverted, frat-bottomed, U-shape as viewed in Fig. I with feet 7 that are secured to the bracket 2 by means of screws A pair of holes 9 which extend nearly the width of the hot plate 6 as shown in Fig. V each receive an ordinary electrical resistance heating cartridge 10 to supply the requisite heat to the hot plate for activating the labels 5. The cartridges it? include a thermostat control .l1 which is operated by means of a knob 12 to properly regulate the degree of temperature desired in the hot plate 6.

The top of the hot plate o has a heated label receiving surface 13 which overhangs at the front and which contains five parallel grooves 14 that divide the overhanging portion of the heated surface 13 into six lips 15 which protrude from the front of the hot plate. The grooves ld extend longitudinally all the way from the back to the front of the heated surface i3.

The bracket 2 also supports a pair of transversely spaced small L-shaped brackets 16 which journal a shaft 17 that extends between them. The ends of the shaft 17 are'received and fixed in hubs 15 that are secured to a ilat bottomed, U-shaped frame 19 as seen in Fig. Il to pivotally mount the frame i9 on the mounting bracket 2. The fiat bottomed, tl-shaped frame 19 opens toward the gravity chute l and closely surrounds the front and sides of the hot plate 6 and the edges of the mounting bracket 2. It is formed from va piece of sheet metal that has a front panel 2d which is bent at a right angle to form a top panel El that has a cut out portion which gives the lat bottomed Li -shape to the frame i9 as viewed in Fig. Il. The ends of the legs of the U are bent downwardly at right angles to form rear panels 22 and the top panel is also bent downwardly at the bottom of the U -to form a stop member 23 which is located within the frame it't. The bottom edge of the front panel 2li is bent forwardly to form a handle 2.4 and ilat side panels 25 are secured to the front, top and rear panels to complete the frame 19.

The side panels 25 to which the hubs i8 are secured also function to support three small brackets 25, 27 and 28, bracket 26 being supported by the left hand one of the panels 2S as viewed in Fig. .il and brackets 27 and 28 being supported by the right hand one of the panels 25 as viewed in Il. A strap 29, passing underneath the mounting bracket 2, is secured at its ends to brackets 26 and 27 and an end of a coil spring 30 is secured at one of its ends to bracket 2S, the other end of the coil spring 3d being `secured to a pin 31 that extends from a side of the hot plate 6. The coil spring 3% urges the frame i9 in a clockwise direction about the axis of the shaft l?, as viewed in Fig. I, the strap 29 by Contact with the underneath side of mounting bracket 2 limiting such clockwise rotation. Downwardly directed force, which is applied for a reason hereinafter described, on the handle 24% of the frame i9 produced by means such as finger pressure rocks the frame 19 in a counterclockwise direction about the axis of the. shait i7 as viewed in Fig. I in opposition to the coil spring 30. As illustrated in Fig. l, the coil spring 3u is holding the frame 19 in its upper position which position is determined by contact of the strap 29 which passes underneath the mounting bracket 2 with such bracket 2.

A label support 3?; is pivotally mounted within the pivotally mounted frame i9; it is formed from a p-iece of sheet metal which has transversely spaced depending ears 33 that are pivotally mounted on the shaft 17 and downturned back 34 and front 35 edges. Before the front edge 3S of the label support 32 is bent down, four openings 36 are cut in the piece of sheet metal. After the front edge 35 is bent down, the openings 36 extend from A to B as shown in Fig. I. The openings 36 in the piece ot sheet metal produce a set of tive tingers 37 which are like the tines of a fork. Spacers 38 separate the ears 33 from the L-shaped brackets 16.

The label support 32 is so located on the shaft 17 that the fingers 37 are in a position to be received in the grooves 14 in the heated surface 13 of the hot plate 6 and the openings 36 receive the lips 15 of the heated surface i3 of the hot plate 6 at B. Two springs 39, which are coiled approximately eight times around the shaft i7, contact the mounting bracket 2 at C and the underneath side of the label support 32 at D and urge the label support 32 clockwise about the axis of the shaft 17 as viewed in Fig. I. Such clockwise rotation of the label support 32 is limited by the catching of the bottoms of the openings 36 in the front edge 35 of the label support 32 on the lips 15 of the hot plate 6 at B. As illustrated in Fig. I, the label support 32 is in its upper position which position `is determined by the engagement of the bottoms of the openings 36 in the front edge 35 of the label support 32 with the lips 15 of the hot plate 6. In such upper position, the lingers 37 are well above the hot plate 6 so that any label upon them in such position can not be activated.

The upper position of the frame 319 as shown in Fig. I is the normal position of the frame. The upper position of the label support 32 as shown in Figs. I and V is the normal position of the label support 32. After a label 5 is printed it is placed in the gravity chute 4. For an understanding of the present invention, the label 5 can be considered to be placed in the chute by hand. If the label 5 is to be used inside a package, i.e., if the label is wrapped inside a package of the 'type that has a window for viewing the label, the thermo-activated adhesive coating side of the label is placed down in the chute so that the printed side of the label is facing up. It the label 5 is to be applied to the outside of a package, the thermo-activated adhesive coating side of the label is placed up in the chute so that the printed side of the label is facing down. The label 5 slides down tne chute d onto the label support 32 and against the stop member 23' of the pivotally mounted frame 1.9 into the position shown in Fig. I. A pair of depending skirts 4t) (Fig. Il) carried by the top panels 2l of the pivotally mounted frame i9 adjacent the sides of the hot plate 6 limits transverse movement of the label 5 and, thus, serve as a guide for the label as it moves into such. position. Only one of the skirts dll is shown on the left hand portion of the top panel 21 of the frame 19 in Fig. II, there being an identical skirt lil on the right hand portion of the top panel 21 of the frame 19 which has been omitted for clarity of illustration. One of the skirts 40 is shown in detail in Fig. VH; it is part of an angle bracket that has an upper portion '4l secured to the top panel 21.

When it is desired to use the label 5 on the inside of a package, downwardly directed force is applied by means such as linger pressure on the handle 2d of the frame i9. lI`his rocks the frame 19 in a counterclockwise direction about the axis of the shaft 17 as viewed in Fig. I in opposition to the coil spring 39. The frame 19 is so rocked until the stop member 23 on the frame is below the label 5 whereupon the label slides oit of the label support 32 into the hand of the operator or onto the product to be wrapped. The coil spring 3G returns the frame i9 to its normal or upper position upon release of the handle 7A. Since the normal position of the label support 32 is above the hot plate 6, the label 5 which is so delivered into the operators hand or onto the product to be wrapped is not activated. It is desirable for the sake of design simplicity to have the system which is printing the labels deliver all of the labels whether for outside or inside use to a single point,

i'.e.,`.tojth`e label activator 1. Hence, this feature provides means for receiving a label of the thermo-activated type which holds the label out of contact with the heated surface of the hot plate 6 until it is needed and which selectively releases the label in its non-activated condition for inside .labeling use.

When it is desired to use the label 5 on the outside of a package, the package is introduced into contact with the top panel 21 of the frame 19 forcing the frame 19 downwardly. As soon las the frame 19 becomes level with the label support 32 it too is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction about the axis of the shaft 17 as viewed in Fig. I under the weight of the package. This movement continues until the fingers 37 which support the label are received in the grooves 14 in the heated surface 13 of the hot plate 6 (See Fig. VI) and the label contacts such heated surface. The fingers 37 are narrow relative to the distance between the grooves 14 in the heated surface 13 so that good contact between the label and the heated surface is made. The label S is allowed to dwell on the heated surface 13 for a length of time sufficient to cause its adhesive coating to be activated and thus stick to the package. Such length of time is learned by experience and depends on such factors as the type of packaging material, on the type of label, and on the temperature of the hot plate 6. The pair of springs 39 returns the label support 32 to its upper position upon removal of the package.

The holding of the label out of contact with the hot plate until it is needed is a feature which permits easy control of the adhesive heating cycle. Heretofore, printing systems delivered labels directly to the heated surfaces of label activators so that labels were activated immediately Whether or not the wrapped products were ready for them. As a result in many instances labels have become over activated and have failed to stick properly to the packages. In contrast, the label activator of the invention holds the label out of contact with the heated surface until it is needed and automatically allowsthe label to contact the heated surface upon contact of the wrapped product with the label whereby the adhesive heating cycle can be controlled easily since the starting time of the cycle is always known.

The combination of the pivotally mounted frame 19 and the pivotally mounted label support 32 thus functions to receive labels that are destined either for inside or outside labeling use. In either case, the labels are held out of contact with the heated surface 13 until they are needed. The combination functions selectively either to release the labels while they are not activated for inside labeling use or automatically allows the labels to contact the heated surface upon contact of packages with the labels for outside labeling use.

` Various modifications in details of construction of the parts of the label activator may be made without departing from the spirit `and scope of the invention.

Having described the invention I claim:

l. A label lactivator comprising, in combination, a heated surface which has a plurality of grooves therein, label support means, including fingers of a size and orientation to be received in such grooves for holding a thermoactivated adhesive coated label in a first position out of contact with the heated surface until it is needed, said means being movable under the influence of a force from said first position to move the fingers into the grooves and deposit the label upon the heated surface, and means for returning'said label support means to said first position upon the removal of the force.

2. A label activator comprising, in combination, a heated surface which has a plurality of grooves therein, means, including lingers of a size and orientation to be received in such grooves, for holding a thermo-activated adhesive coated label in a rst position out of contact with the heated surface until it is needed, said means being movable under the weight of a package to be 61 labeledfrom said rst position to move the fingers into the grooves and deposit the label upon the heated surface, whereby the label is caused to stick to the package, and mechanism for returning said means to said first position when the labeled package is removed from said means.

3. A label activator comprising, in combination, a heated surface which has a plurality of grooves therein, a pivotally mounted label support which is of a shape and has an orientation to be received in such grooves for holding a thermo-activated adhesive coated label, stop means, and resilient means for pivoting the label support to a first position which is determined by said stop means wherein the label is out of contact with the heated surface, the pivotally mounted label support being movable in opposition to the resilient means under the weight Aof a package to be labeled from said first position to av second position wherein the label support is received in the grooves and the label is deposited upon the heated surface.

4. A label activator comprising, in combination, a heated surface which has a plurality of grooves therein and a plurality of lips extending therefrom, a pivotally mounted label support which is of a shape and has an orientation to be received in such grooves for holding a thermo-activated adhesive coated label, openings in the label support which receive the lips, and resilient means for pivoting the label support to a first position which is determined by engagement of the lips with the label support at the openings therein, the label being out of contact with the heated surface when the label support is in said first position, the pivotally mounted label support being movable in opposition to the resilient means under the weight of a package to be labeled from said first position to a second position wherein the label support is received in the grooves and the label is deposited upon the heated surface.

5. A label activator comprising, in combination, a heated surface which is tilted forwardly at a substantial angle from the horizontal, a pivotally mounted label support having a flat surface which is located above the heated surface and which also is tilted forwardly at a substantial angle from the horizontal so that a thermo-activated adhesive coated label can be slid down the flat surface, a pivotally-mounted stop member at the lower end of the tilted flat surface of the label support which normally is in a first position wherein it prevents the label from sliding off of the flat surface, the flat surface of the label support normally holding the label in a first position out of contact with the heated surface until it is needed, the pivotally mounted stop member and the pivotally mounted label support being movable under the weight of a package to be labeled to deposit the label upon the heated surface, whereby the label is caused to stick to the package, and means for returning the stop member and the label support to their rst positions upon removal of the package.

6. A label activator comprising, in combination, a heated surface which is tilted forwardly at a substantial angle from the horizontal, a pivotally mounted label support having a iiat surface which is located above the heated surface and which also is tilted forwardly vat a substantial angle from the horizontal so that a thermoactivated adhesive coated label can be slid down the fflat surface, a pivotally mounted stop member at the lower end of the tilted iiat surface of the label support which normally is in a first position wherein it prevents the label from sliding off of the iiat surface, the flat surface of the label support normally holding the label in a first position out of contact with the heated surface until it is needed, the stop member and the label support being independently rockable, whereby the stop member selectively can be rocked out of the way of the label so that the label is free to slide off of the tilted iiat surface of the label support in a non-activated condition for inside labeling use,`

the lpivotally mounted stop member and the pivotally mounted label support being movable under the weight of a package to be labeled to deposit the label upon the heated surface, whereby the label is caused to stick to the package, and means for returning the stop member and the label support to their first positions upon removal of the package.

7. A label activator comprising, in combination, a heated surface which is tilted forwardly at a substantial angle from the horizontal, a pivotally mounted label support having a fiat surface which is located above the heated surface and which also is tilted forwardly at a substantial angle from the horizontal so that a thermo-activated adhesive coated label can be slid down the fiat surface, a pivotally mounted frame which includes a guide at each side of the flat surface of the label support for preventing substantial transverse movement of the label as it slides down the tilted fiat surface and a stop member at the lower end of the tilted fiat surface which normally is in a first position wherein it prevents that label from sliding off of the flat surface, the fiat surface of the label support normally holding the label in a first position out of contact with the heated surface until it is needed, the pivotally mounted frame and the pivotally mounted label support being movable under the weight of a package to be labeled to deposit the label upon the heated surface, whereby the label is caused toV stick to the package, and means for returning the frame and the label support to their first positions upon removal of the package.

8. A label activator comprising, in combination, a heated surface which is tilted forwardly at a substantial angle from the horizontal, a pivotally mounted label support having a flat surface which is located above the heated surface and which also is tilted forwardly at a substantial angle from the horizontal so that a thermoactivated adhesive coated label can be slid down the flat surface, a pivotally mounted frame which -includes a guide at each side of the fiat surface of the label support for preventing substantial transverse movement of the label as it slides down the tilted fiat surface and a stop member at the lower end of the tilted flat surface which normally is in a first position wherein it prevents that label from sliding off of the fiat surface, the fiat surface of the label support normally holding the label in a first position out of Contact with the heated surface until it is needed, the 'frame and the label support being independently rockable, whereby the stop member of the frame selectively can be rocked out of the way of the label so that the label is free to slide off of the tilted fiat surface of the label support in a non-activated condition for inside labeling use, the pivotally mounted frame and the pivotally mounted label support being movable under the weight of a package to be labeled to deposit the label upon the heated surface, whereby the label is caused to stick to the package, and means for returning the frame and the label support to their first positions upon removal of the package.

9. A label activator comprising, in combination, a heated surface which has a plurality of grooves therein and which is tilted downwardly, `a positionable label support, including 4fingers tof a size and orientation to be received in such grooves, for holding a thermo-activated :adhesive coated label in a rst position out of contact with the hea-ted surface until it is needed, the fingers being located above the heated surface and also being tilted downwardly so tha-t the label can be slid down the fingers into said first position, a positionable stop member at the lower end of the tilted fingers which normally is in a first position wherein it prevents the label from sliding off of the fingers, the label support and the stop member being movable under the weight of a package to be labeled from their first positions to move the fingers of the label support into the grooves and deposit the label upon the heated surface, whereby the label is heated and thereby caused to stick to the package, and

mechanism for returning the label support and the stop member to their first positions when the labeled package is removed.

10. A label activator comprising, in combination, a heated surface which Ihas a plurality of grooves therein and which is tilted downwardly, a positionable label support, including fingers `of a size and orientation to be received in such grooves, 'for holding a thermo-ac- Itivated adhesive `coated label in ia rst position out of contact with .the heated surface until it is needed, the fingers being located above the heated sur-face and also being tilted downwardly so that the label can be slid down the fingers into said first position, a positionable stop member at the lower end of .the tilted fingers which normally is in a first position wherein it prevents the label from sliding off of the fingers, the label support and the stop member being independently movable, whereby .the stop member selectively can be moved out of .the way of the label so that the label is free to slide off of the tilted fingers of the label support in a nonactivated condition for inside labeling use, the label support and the stop member being movable under the weight of a package to be labeled from their first positions to move .the ngers of the label support into the grooves and deposit the label upon the heated surface, whereby the label is heated and thereby caused to stick to the package, and mechanism for returning the label support and the stop member to their rst positions when the labeled package is removed.

ll. A label activator comprising, in combination, a heated surface which has a plurality of lgrooves therein and which is tilted downwardly, .a pivotally mounted label support which -is of a shape and has an orientation to be received in such grooves for holding a thermoactivated adhesive coated label, the label support being loca-ted above Ithe heated surface and :also being tilted downwardly so that the label can be slid down the label support, a pivotally mounted stop member at the lower end of the tilted label support which normally is in a first position wherein it prevents the label from sliding off of the label support, stop means, resilient means for pivoting the label support to la first position which is determined by said stop means wherein the label is out of contact with the heated surface, the pivotally mounted stop member and the pivotally mounted label support being movable under the weight of a package to be labeled from said first positions to second positions' wherein the -label support is received in the grooves and the label is deposited upon the heated surface, such movement of the label support from its first to its second position being in opposition to the resilient means, and means for returning the stop member to its first position upon removal of the package.

12. A label activator comprising, in combination, a heated surface which has la plurality of grooves therein and which is tilt-ed downwardly, a pivotally mounted ylabel support which is of a shape and has an orientation to be received in such grooves for holding a thermoactivated adhesive coated l-abel, the label support being located above the heated surface and also being tilted downwardly so that the label can be slid down the label support, a pivotally mounted stop member at the lower end of the tilted label support which normally is in a first position wherein it prevents .the label fro'm sliding off of the label support, stop means, resilient means for pivoting the label support to a first position which is determined by said stop means wherein the label is out of contact with the heated surf-ace, the stop member and the label support being independently rockabl'e, whereby the stop mem-ber selectively can .be rocked out of the way of the label so that the label is free to slide ofl of the tilted label support in a non-activated conditionV for inside labeling use, the pivotally mounted stop member :and the pivotally mounted label support being movable under the' weight of la' package to' be labeled from said first positions to second positions wherein the label support 'is received in the grooves and the label is deposited upon the heated surface, such movement of the label support from its first to its second position being in opposition to the resilient means, and means for returning the stop member to its first position upon removal of the package.

13. A label activator comprising, in combination, a heated surface which has a plurality of grooves therein and which has a plurality of lips extending therefrom and which is tilted downwardly, a pivotally mounted label support which is of a shape and has an orientation to be received in such grooves for holding a thermoactivated adhesive coated label, the label support being located above the heated surface and also being tilted downwardly so that the label can be slid down the label support, openings in the label support which receive the lips, a pivotally mounted stop member at the lower end of the tilted label support which normally is in a first position wherein it prevents the label from sliding off of the label support, resilient means for pivoting the label support to a first position which is determined by engagement of the lips with the label support at the openings therein, the label being out of contact with the heated surface when the label support is in its first position, the pivotally mounted stop member and the pivotally mounted label support being movable under the weight of a package to be labeled from said first positions to second positions wherein the label support is received in the grooves and the label is deposited upon the heated surface, such movement of the label support from its rst to its second position being in opposition to the resilient means, and means for returning the stop member to its first position upon removal of the package.

14. A label activator comprising, in combination, a heated surface which has a plurality of grooves therein and which has a plurality of lips extending therefrom and which is tilted downwardly, a pivotally mounted label support which is of a shape and has an orientation to be received in such grooves for holding a thermo-activated adhesive coated label, the label support being located above the heated surface and also being tilted downwardly so that the label can be slid down the label support, openings in the label support which receive the lips, a pivotally mounted stop member at the lower end of the tilted label support which normally is in a first position wherein it prevents the label from sliding off of the label support, resilient means for pivoting the label support to a rst position which is determined by engagement of the lips with the label support at the openings therein, the label being out of contact with the heated surface when the label support is in its first position, the stop member and the label support being independently rockable, whereby the stop member selectively can be rocked out of the way of the label so that the label is free to slide off of the tilted label support in a nonactivated condition for inside labeling use, the pivotally mounted stop member and the pivotally mounted label support being movable under the weight of a package to be labeled from said first positions to second positions wherein the label support is received in the grooves and label is deposited upon the heated surface, such movement of the label support from its first to its second position being in opposition to the resilient means, and means for returning the stop member to its first position upon removal of the package.

15. A label activator comprising, in combination, a heated surface which has a plurality of grooves therein and which has a plurality of lips extending therefrom and which is tilted downwardly, a pivotally mounted label support which is of a shape and has an orientation to be received in such grooves for holding a thermo-activated adhesive coated label, the label support being located above the heated surface and also being tilted downwardly so that the label can be slid down the label support, openings in the label support which receive the lips, a pivotally mounted frame which includes a guide at each side of the label support for preventing substantial transverse movement of the label as it slides down the label support and a stop member at the lower end of the tilted label support which normally is in a first position wherein it prevents the label from sliding oft" of the label support, resilient means for pivoting the label support to a first position which is determined by engagement of the lips with the label support at the openings therein, the label being out of contact with the heated Isurface when the label support is in its first position, the pivotally mounted frame and the pivotally mounted label support being movable under the weight of a package to be labeled from said first positions to second positions wherein the label support is received in the grooves and the label is deposited upon the heated surface, such movement of the label support from its iirst to its second position being in opposition to the resilient means, and means for returning the frame to its first position upon removal of the package.

16. A label activator comprising, in combination, a heated surface which has a plurality of grooves therein and which has a plurality of lips extending therefrom and which is tilted downwardly, a pivotally mounted labe support which is of a shape and has an orientation to be received in such grooves for holding a thermoactivated adhesive coated label, the label support being located above the heated surface and also being tilted downwardly so that the label can be slid down the label support, openings in thev label support which receive the lips, a pivotally mounted frame which includes a guide at each side of the label support for preventing substantial transverse movement of the label as it slides down the label support and a stop member at the lower end of the tilted label support which normally is in a first position wherein it prevents the label from sliding oft" of the label support, resilient means for pivoting the label support to a first position which is determined by engagement of the lips with the label support at the openings therein, the label being out of contact with the heated surface when the label support is in its rst position, the frame and the label support being independently rockable, whereby the stop member of the frame selectively can be rocked out of the way of the label so that the label is free to slide off of the tilted label support in a nonactivated condition for inside labeling use, the pivotally mounted frame and the pivotally mounted label support being movable under the weight of a package to be labeled from said first positions to second positions wherein the label support is received in the grooves and the label is deposited upon the heated surface, such movement of the label support from its first to its second position being in opposition to the resilient means, and means for returning the frame to its first position upon removal of the package.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNTED STATES PATENTS 2,625,287 Holt et al Jan. 13, 1953 2,638,964 Andina May 19, 1953 2,671,159 ODonnell Mar. 2, 1954 2,753,430 Winberg July 3, 1956 2,756,891 Hill July 31, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 493,688 Italy May 3, 1954 

